Method for dispensing a solution

ABSTRACT

A method of using a fluid injector in fluid communication with a fluid flow line where flow is transferred from the flow line into the fluid injector and back to the fluid flow line. An inlet flow is used to pressurize the storage tank and provide a solution to mix with injection solutions in the tank.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit ofU.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/173,284, filed Jun. 17, 2002which, in turn, is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/895,629, filed on Jul. 2, 2001, both ofthe same title.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to storage tanks and fluid injectionsystems, specifically to injection metering devices.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A variety of means have been used to inject fluids into fluidstreams. These include metering pumps, water powered pumps, siphondevices, flow through devices and gravity feed drainage equipment.

[0004] There are a number of problems encountered with each type ofequipment available in delivering an accurately proportioned injectionamount. Metering pumps are either set to inject a predetermined amountinto a fluid stream without a means of adjusting to changes in flowvolume in the fluid stream, or they are controlled electronically byflow sensors located in the fluid stream. The components of this type ofsystem are mechanical and electronic so they are subject to wear andmechanical failure. Water powered pumps adjust automatically to changesin flow in the fluid stream but are a mechanical device with a number ofseal points. The seals require frequent maintenance for the unit tooperate properly. This design is limited in the amount of fluid flow itcan operate with and as flows increase, the cost of the deviceincreases. Siphon devices rely on a high restriction in the fluid streamto create venturi suction strong enough to pull the injection solutionfrom the storage container. They require high pressure to operate andthe high restriction in the fluid stream greatly reduces the fluidstream volume. Fluctuations in pressure can cause the device to notinject continuously creating uneven distribution. They are also unableto dependably inject solutions such as water-soluble fertilizers withoutplugging. Venturi systems generally have relatively small flow orificesand the fertilizer solution has a tendency to settle, creatingsedimentation that plugs these orifices. Flow through devices typicallychannel the flow of the fluid stream through a container that holds asoluble product that slowly breaks down, releasing the product into thestream. This method doesn't control the amount being distributed and cangive unreliable distribution. It is common for the soluble products tomelt as they sit in the water while the system is not operating andrelease a large amount when the system is restarted.

[0005] Several types of fluid injectors have been developed toproportion liquid or soluble fertilizers or chemicals into fluid pipingsystems. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,106, Automatic Pressurized AdjustableSolution Dispenser accomplishes this task but relies on a check valve toprevent back flow of contaminants into the fluid stream. With thisdesign, the outlet flow port connection needs to extend to the bottom ofthe storage tank to establish a consistent injection rate offertilizers, which have a higher specific gravity than the incomingwater. When the outlet port connection is extended to the bottom of thestorage tank, the system develops an air pocket in the top of thestorage tank that can only be eliminated by manually filling the tankwith fluid or some other means of manually venting the system. If theair is not removed from the system, a potentially hazardous conditionexists in that air compresses under pressure, which creates a higherstress on the storage tank than fluids under pressure and can cause thestorage tank to rupture at much lower operating pressures. The presenceof air also reduces the amount of fluid in the storage tank. This limitsthe fluid available to mix with soluble products to make them aninjectable solution, causing the system to not inject accurately orpossibly not inject at all due to plugged flow ports. Since there is noway for air to escape the storage tank, soluble products must bepremixed and the tank filled with water before using the system. Manysoluble products begin settling to the bottom of the tank immediatelyafter being mixed. Continual agitation is required to keep them in aninjectable state. This requires extending the inlet port near the bottomof the storage tank to direct flow through the soluble product. Also,this design does not provide a means of injecting more than one solutionfrom the same tank at independent ratios.

[0006] The U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,214, Fluid Additive Injector by Thomas F.Strong has an automatic mechanical air relief valve that vents air fromthe storage tank to the atmosphere. While it does evacuate the air fromthe tank automatically, it is mechanical in nature so it is subject towear and eventual failure. It does not provide back flow protection,establish proportioning rates or allow air to be vented through thepiping system. It also does not provide a means of injecting more thanone solution from the storage tank at independent ratios.

[0007] The U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,291, Liquid Proportioning System byChester A. Purdy is a gravity feed system that uses an internal mixingchamber to combine two liquids to be dispensed into a fluid stream. Itrequires an electrical controller, a pressure switch and a float valveto control fluid flow into the tank.

[0008] The U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,810, Precision-Ratioed Fluid-MixingDevice And System by Horvath, Abrams and Helf utilizes a high pressureflow line to create a venturi to draw multiple fluids from multipleunpressurized containers and accurately mix them into one solution. Thesystem has an air vent to the atmosphere to prevent siphoning of fluidfrom the storage containers when the system is not operating. Thisdesign requires a high-pressure flow line to create enough vacuum todraw fluids from the containers. This creates a high restriction in theflow line, significantly reducing flow volume and pressure. It alsorequires multiple containers to store the various solutions, whichrequires piping connections between all the containers used. This designcannot operate at low pressures or automatically mix dry products andkeep them an injectable solution.

[0009] The U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,065, Fluid Proportioning Valve And Methodby John P. Gagliardo is mixing valve that combines liquids atcontrollable proportions. It does not provide for the injection ofliquids into a flow line, only the mixing of incoming flows.

[0010] My invention solves a number of problems that have been presentin prior art. It eliminates the need for a mechanical check valve andair relief valves, which are subject to wear, leakage and failure. Itoperates at very low pressures without the need for restriction in theflow line. It operates totally on pressure from the flow line andinjects very accurately. It can handle dry products as well as veryheavy products without plugging or manual mixing. It can inject multiplesolutions at independent injection rates from one storage tank.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0011] Accordingly, the objects and advantages of my invention are:

[0012] (a) Provides the ability to accurately inject one or more liquidsolutions into a fluid stream at independent injection rates.

[0013] (b) Soluble products can be put in the storage tank dry and thesystem will exhaust all air from the storage tank while mixing theproducts automatically, eliminating manual mixing and plugging.

[0014] (c) Provides back flow and siphoning protection with the need formechanical check valves and air relief valves, which makes the systemmore dependable, less expensive to manufacture, have a longer servicelife and require less maintenance.

[0015] (d) Flow control allows a wide range of injection rates, whichgives the user the ability to apply the products in minutes or overweeks or months.

[0016] (e) Highly concentrated product can be used, which reducesstorage requirements.

[0017] (f) There are no moving parts to wear out or break. Alloperations are controlled by system flow.

[0018] (g) Little exposure to hazardous chemicals. The chemicals can beapplied in very low amounts automatically, which eliminates any exposureduring the application process as well as better absorption rates,reducing negative environmental impact.

[0019] (h) Mixing incoming fluid with the outgoing solution makes theinjection rate slower so flow ports can be made larger which allows morefluid through the system, which prevents plugging, improves mixing andimproves injection accuracy.

[0020] (i) Inlet connections can be extended to the bottom of the tankto provide agitation of soluble or heavy products, which keeps them in amore injectable state and eliminates the need for manual mixing when thesystem is initially filled. It also allows a higher concentration ofproduct to be put in the storage tank.

[0021] (j) Outlet connections can be extended to the bottom of the tankto provide consistent, accurate metering of the injected solution.

[0022] (k) Provides a consistent injection stream so the injectedsolution is more evenly mixed in the flow line.

[0023] (l) Operates a very low flow rates and pressures with norestriction on the flow line pressure or volume, giving it a broad rangeof use in many applications.

[0024] (m) Responds to the smallest changes in pressure or velocity inthe flow line, making it very accurate in all applications.

[0025] (n) Convenient emptying and filling of single or multiplesolutions. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent inthe ensuing drawings and descriptions.

SUMMARY

[0026] In accordance with the present invention a fluid injector withvent/proportioner ports comprises a fluid injector that utilizes fluidfrom a flow line to accurately inject fluids into the flow line. Thesystem mixes incoming fluid with outgoing injection solution to providea wide range of flow adjustment. It uses flow orifices to provide airrelease from the storage tank as well as provide back flow protection.It utilizes multiple bladders to inject multiple solutions from onestorage tank.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0027] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number butdifferent alphabetical suffixes.

[0028]FIG. 1 shows an overview of the system operating and how it isconnected to a fluid flow line.

[0029]FIG. 2 shows an overview of the system operating during back flowconditions.

[0030]FIG. 3 shows an overview of the system operating during back flowwith vacuum conditions.

[0031]FIG. 4 shows an overview of the system with multiple bladders.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0032]  1 fluid flow line  2 inlet connection tube  3 inletvent/proportioner port  4 outlet vent/proportioner port  5 agitationtube  5a agitation nozzle  6 pickup filter  7 pickup tube  8 crossoverconnection  8a mixing valve  9 outlet connection tube 10a tap fitting10b tap fitting 11 tank inlet connection 12 tank outlet connection 13storage tank 14 tank inlet port 15 tank outlet port 16 storage tank cap16a bladder 16b bladder 17 site tube 17a fill port 17b fill port 17cfill port 18 drain valve 19a fill port valve 19b fill port valve 19cfill port valve 20 flow direction 21 injection solution 22 injectionsolution 23 fluid from flow line 24 injection solution 25 air

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1, 2, 3—Preferred Embodiment

[0033] A preferred embodiment of the fluid injector withvent/proportioner ports is shown in FIG. 1. This side view shows a basicview of the invention and how it connects to a fluid flow line. Thesystem can be manufactured from various types of plastic, metal or both.Plastic connections can be glued or threaded. Metal connections can bethreaded, welded or braised. The tank inlet connection 11 is connectedto fluid flow line 1 by attaching inlet connection tube 2 to tappingfitting 10 a. The tank outlet connection 12 is connected to fluid flowline 1 by attaching outlet connection tube 9 to tapping fitting 10 b.The tank inlet connection 11 is connected to tank outlet connection 12by crossover connection 8. Mixing valve 8 a is located in the crossoverconnection 8, between tank inlet connection 11 and tank outletconnection 12. The tank inlet connection 11 is attached to tank inletport 14, which is attached to inlet vent/proportioner port 3 andagitation tube 5. Agitation nozzle 5 a is attached to the end of theagitation tube 5, which extends into the bottom portion of storage tank13. The tank outlet connection 12 is attached to the tank outlet port 4,which is attached to outlet vent/proportioner port 4 and pickup tube 7.Pickup filter 6 is attached to the end of pickup tube 7, which extendsto the bottom of storage tank 13. Site tube 17 is located in the outletconnection tube 9 between tank outlet connection 12 and tap fitting 10b.

Operations—FIGS. 1, 2, 3

[0034] The method of using the fluid injector with vent/proportionerports is to connect it to a fluid flow line as shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] Once the unit has been installed, shut off all flow in the fluidflow line 1. Remove the inlet connection tube 2 and outlet connectiontube 9 from the storage tank cap 16. Remove the storage tank cap 16 fromthe tank and add the material to be injected, to the storage tank 13.Put the storage tank cap 16 on the tank and attach the inlet connectiontube 2 and outlet connection tube 9 to the storage tank cap 16. Adjustthe mixing valve 8 a to desired injection rate and turn on flow in fluidflow line 1.

[0036] When the system is operating, a positive pressure is created bytap fitting 10 a creating fluid flow from fluid flow line 1, which isdirected through the inlet connection tube 2 to tank inlet connection11. The fluid is then directed through crossover connection 8 to thetank outlet connection 12 and through an inlet port 14 to storage tank13. The amount of flow to each area is controlled by mixing valve 8 a.As mixing valve 8 a is opened, more fluid flows through crossoverconnection 8 and less fluid through tank inlet port 14. This reduces theamount of fluid leaving the storage tank 13 which reduces theconcentration of the fluid injected into the fluid flow line 1. Thefluid entering the storage tank 13 through tank inlet port 14 flowsthrough inlet proportion/vent port 3 determines the amount of flowdiverted to the top and bottom of the storage tank 13. This controls theamount of agitation action directed at injection solution 24. Thebalance of the fluid entering the storage tank 13 is directed throughthe agitation tube 5, through agitation nozzle 5 a, into the bottom ofthe tank and into the injection solution in the bottom of the tank. Bydirecting the inlet flow to the bottom of the tank, dry soluble productsare mixed automatically with inlet fluid from fluid flow line 1 as thestorage tank 13 is filling. The air in storage tank 13 is exhaustedthrough outlet vent/proportioner port 4 into the fluid flow line 1.Since air moves more easily than liquid, no fluid leaves the storagetank 13 until all the air has been exhausted. This provides thoroughmixing of injection solution 24 which creates accurate injection andprevents plugging.

[0037] Flow entering storage tank 13 pressurizes storage tank 13 to thesame pressure as the fluid flow line 1. A negative pressure is createdby tap fitting 10 b creating flow from storage tank 13. This flow isdirected through pickup filter 6 through pickup tube 7 as well asthrough vent/proportioner outlet port 4 to tank outlet port 15. The sizeof the vent/proportioner outlet port 4 determines the mix ratio of fluidinside the storage tank 13 and injection solution 20. It then flowsthrough crossover connection 8, where it mixes with inlet flow and thenflows through tank outlet connection 12 to tap fitting 10 b throughoutlet connection tube 9.

[0038] Tap fittings 10 a and 10 b do not create any restriction in flowline 1. Because the storage tank 13 is pressurized to the same pressureas flow line 1, any changes in flow line 1 pressure or velocity iscommunicated to storage tank 13 immediately, making the system veryresponsive to changes in flow and very accurate. This also enables thesystem to begin operating with as little as two gallons per hour flow influid flow line 1 and at as little as 5 PSI operating pressure. Thesystem has no capacity or volume restrictions. If flow restriction isput between tap fitting 10 a and tap fitting 10 b, the operating rangeis increased. It can be adapted to any size application. Because theflow through the system is consistent, not pulsating, the injectionsolution 24 entering the fluid flow line 1 is consistent throughout thefluid flow line 1 solution.

[0039] When the system is operating, injection flow can be seen throughsite tube 17. When material is no longer visible in site tube 17, thesystem is empty and ready for refill.

[0040]FIG. 2 shows the flow pattern when a back flow condition exists.To create a back flow condition, pressure is lost in fluid flow line 1so any fluid in the fluid flow line 1 reverses direction. This reversesthe flow through the system by creating a positive pressure at tapfitting 10 b. This directs flow into the storage tank through thefertilizer outlet tube 9, the tank outlet connection 12 and then throughthe tank outlet port 15 and crossover connection 8. The adjustment valve8 a setting determines the amount of fluid that reenters the storagetank. The more open the mixing valve 8 a is set, the more fluid thatwill bypass the storage tank 13 and return to the fluid flow line 1through the inlet connection tube 2. The fluid that does not go throughthe crossover connection 8 will flow into the storage tank 13 throughthe tank outlet port 15. This directs the fluid to the top of the tankand back out of the tank through the vent/proportioner inlet port 3.Since there is a loss of pressure in a back flow condition, there ismuch less flow in the fluid flow line 1. This enables thevent/proportioner ports 3 and 4 to handle all incoming and outgoingflow, preventing any toxic material from the bottom of the tank fromentering the fluid flow line 1.

[0041]FIG. 3 shows how the system operates when all the fluid has beeneliminated from the fluid flow line 1. The fluid is replaced by airwhich creates a vacuum condition. The air follows the same flow path asthe fluid does during back flow conditions. Once air has entered thestorage tank 13 through tank outlet port 4, it flows through the inletvent/proportioner port 3 to the fluid flow line 1. Because air flowsmore easily than fluid, only air flows through the system. This puts thesystem in an air lock condition which prohibits any liquid from leavingthe storage tank 13.

[0042] To refill the unit, shut off all flow in the fluid flow line 1.Relieve pressure from the storage tank 13 by opening a valve downstreamin the fluid flow line 1 or by slowly removing the outlet connectiontube 9 from the storage tank cap 16. Once pressure has been relieved,remove inlet connection tube 2 and outlet connection tube 9 from thestorage tank cap 16. Remove the storage tank cap 16 from the tank andpour out the fluid in the storage tank 13. Add the material to beinjected, to the storage tank 13. Put the storage tank cap 16 on thetank and attach the inlet connection tube 2 and outlet connection tube 9to the storage tank cap 16. Adjust the mixing valve 8 a to the desiredinjection rate and turn on flow in fluid flow line 1.

FIG. 4—Additional Embodiment

[0043] An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. It shows theaddition of bladder 16 a and 16 b. Bladder 16 a is connected tovent/proportioner port 4 a that is connected to tank outlet port 4.Bladder 16 b is connected to vent/proportioner port 4 b that isconnected to tank outlet port 4. Fill port 17 a is connected to bladder16 a. Fill port 17 b is connected to bladder 16 b. Fill port 17 c isconnected to storage tank 13. Drain valve 18 is connected to storagetank 13. Fill port valve 19 a is connected to fill port 17 a. Fill portvalve 19 b is connected to fill port 17 b. Fill port valve 19 c isconnected to fill port 17 c.

FIG. 4—Operations

[0044] The method of using the fluid injector with vent/proportionerports as shown in FIG. 4 is to turn off all flow in fluid flow line 1.Relieve system pressure by opening a valve downstream in the fluid flowline 1. When the pressure is relieved, close the valve. Drain all fluidfrom storage tank 13 by opening drain valve 18 and fill port valve 19 c.When all fluid has been drained from storage tank 13, close drain valve18. Open fill port valve 19 a and pour injection solution 21 intobladder 16 a. When the desired quantity of injection solution 21 hasbeen poured in, close fill port valve 19 a. Open fill port valve 19 band pour the desired amount of injection solution 22 into bladder 16 b.When the desired quantity of injection solution 22 has been poured in,close fill port valve 19 b. Pour the desired amount of injectionsolution 22 has been poured in, close fill port valve 19 b. Pour thedesired amount of injection solution 20 in fill port 17 c. When thedesired amount of solution has been poured in, close fill port valve 19c. Open the valve to allow flow into fluid flow line 1.

[0045] When the system is operating, fluid from the fluid flow line 1enters the storage tank 13 through the tank inlet port 14 and thecrossover connection 8. The fluid entering the tank pressurizes thestorage tank 13, bladder 16 a and bladder 16 b. The negative pressurecreated by tap fitting 10 b along with the positive pressure created bytap fitting 10 a create flow from bladder 16 a, bladder 16 b and storagetank 13. Bladder 16 a and bladder 16 b are made of flexible materialthat collapses as fluid is removed. They are used to contain injectionsolutions that need to be separated due to their reaction to othersolutions in the storage tank 13 or if their specific gravity is thesame or lighter than the fluid entering the storage tank 13 from thefluid flow line 1. As injection solution 21 leaves bladder 16 a andflows through tank outlet port 15, it is premised with fluid fromstorage tank 13 to a preset ratio determined by the orifice size of theoutlet vent/proportioner port 4 a. As injection solution 22 leavesbladder 16 b and flows through tank outlet port 15, it is premixed withfluid from storage tank 13 to a preset ratio determined by the orificesize of the outlet vent/proportioner port 4 b. All solutions leavingstorage tank 13 are then mixed with the fluid in crossover connection 8.Mixing valve 8 a sets the injection ratio for the combined solutionsbefore they enter fluid flow line 1.

SUMMARY, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0046] Accordingly, the reader will see that the fluid injector withvent/proportioner ports will provide many advantages to consumers,industry and the environment. It provides an economical means ofaccurately injecting solutions that are normally difficult to inject. Itcan inject multiple solutions simultaneously into a flow line, each withtheir own injection ratio. Incompatible products can be combined in onetank and one installation. It is very easy to use and has a long servicelife with very low maintenance requirements. It easily adapts from smallto large applications. It can be manufactured easily and economicallyfrom products readily available in the marketplace. It can be fabricatedfrom plastic or metal piping components or molded.

[0047] While the above description contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof.Many other variations are possible. For example additional crossoverconnections with control valves could be added to provide specific flowadjustment for all solutions in the storage tank. The crossoverconnection and control valve could be eliminated and the proportioningrates set only by the vent/proportioner ports. The agitation tube couldbe removed for products that are lighter and easier to inject. Thesystem can accommodate filling and draining with ports sealed by valves,plugs or caps. The system can have the fluid flow line attach to it orhave it attach remotely. It can be designed to attach to the end of afluid flow line of any type.

[0048] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined notby the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents. Method claim set:

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for dispensing a solution containedwithin a storage tank into a flow of fluid in a flow line, comprising:diverting a portion of the fluid from the flow line into a top portionof the storage tank; venting air from the top portion of the storagetank into the flow line as the storage tank fills with the portion ofthe fluid; drawing the solution from a bottom portion of the storagetank; and directing the solution drawn from the bottom portion of thestorage tank into the flow of fluid in the flow line.
 2. The method asrecited in claim 1, further comprising diverting a portion of the fluidfrom the flow line into a bottom portion of the storage tank to agitatethe solution.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprisingdrawing fluid into the flow line from the top portion of the storagetank during conditions of system backflow.
 4. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein a positive pressure in the flow line is utilized fordiverting the portion of the fluid from the flow line into the topportion of the storage tank.
 5. The method as recited in claim 4,wherein the positive pressure is created by using a tap fitting to placethe storage tank in fluid flow communication with the flow line.
 6. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein solution is drawn through a pickupfilter positioned in the bottom portion of the storage tank.
 7. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein air is vented from the storagetank into the flow line via a vent port.
 8. The method as recited inclaim 7, further comprising drawing from the top portion of the storagetank via the vent port a portion of the fluid in the storage tank. 9.The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the vent port is sized todetermine a mix ratio of the fluid drawn from the top of the storagetank and the solution drawn from the bottom of the storage tank.
 10. Themethod as recited in claim 7, wherein a portion of the fluid from theflow line is diverted into a top portion of the storage tank via aninlet port.
 11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprisingdiverting a portion of the fluid from the flow line to the solutiondrawn from the bottom of the storage tank using a crossover connectionthat is positioned between the inlet port and the outlet vent.
 12. Themethod as recited in claim 11, further comprising using a mixing valvepositioned within the crossover connection to control the amount offluid diverted into the top portion of the storage tank.
 13. The methodas recited in claim 1, wherein solution is drawn from the bottom portionof the storage tank with as little as two gallon per hour flow in theflow line and as little as five PSI operating pressure within the flowline.
 14. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising using aflow restrictor within the flow line for controlling an amount of fluiddiverted from the flow line.
 15. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein a negative pressure in the flow line is utilized for drawing thesolution from the bottom portion of the storage tank.
 16. The method asrecited in claim 15, wherein the negative pressure is created by using atap fitting to place the storage tank in fluid flow communication withthe flow line.
 17. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprisingequalizing pressure within the storage tank with pressure in the flowline using fluid diverted from the flow line.
 18. The method as recitedin claim 1, wherein solution is drawn from the bottom portion of thestorage tank at a rate consistent with a rate of fluid flow in the flowline.